If your water bill jumps and nothing has changed at home, there’s a good chance water is leaking somewhere you can’t see. In Las Vegas homes, the usual suspects are toilets, irrigation lines and leaks under the slab. Here’s how to check for yourself before you call anyone.
Step 1: Use your water meter
Your water meter is the best leak detector you have. It’s usually in a box in the ground near the street.
- Turn off every faucet, the dishwasher, the washing machine and the irrigation timer. Make sure no one runs water during the test.
- Open the meter box lid and find the dial. Most meters have a small triangle or star called the leak indicator.
- If the leak indicator is moving while everything is off, water is leaking somewhere.
- For a slower leak, write down the reading, wait an hour or two without using any water, and check it again.
Step 2: Narrow it down
If your house has a main shutoff valve, close it and look at the meter again.
- Meter still moving with the house valve closed: the leak is between the meter and the house, often the main service line or the irrigation system.
- Meter stops: the leak is inside the house or under the slab.
Not sure where your shutoff is? Read our guide: Where Is Your Main Water Shutoff?
The most common hidden leaks in Las Vegas homes
Running toilets
A worn flapper or fill valve can waste a lot of water without making much noise. To test, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking. Toilet and fixture repair is usually a quick fix.
Irrigation and drip systems
Drip lines get chewed, cracked by the sun and broken by landscaping work, and a broken line under rock can leak for months. Watch for soggy spots, unusually green patches, or water running into the gutter when the system is on.
Slab leaks
Many valley homes are built on concrete slabs with water lines under the floor. A leak there may show up as a warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water with everything off, cracked tile, or damp carpet. Read about slab leak repair.
Water softener or pressure problems
A water softener stuck in its regeneration cycle can send water to the drain nonstop. High water pressure from a failing pressure-reducing valve can also make toilets run and relief valves drip. Learn about pressure regulator service.
Water heater relief valve
Check the pipe coming off the relief valve on your water heater. If it drips or runs, it’s wasting water and it’s telling you something is wrong with pressure or temperature.
When to call a plumber
Call a plumber if the meter shows a leak and you can’t find it, or if you see any signs of a slab leak. We use acoustic listening equipment, thermal imaging and pressure testing to find hidden leaks without tearing up your home looking for them. Learn more about leak detection.
Call TPM Services at 702-932-5755. We’ll give you an honest diagnosis and a written estimate before any work begins.
